Thursday, September 6, 2007
If you like sports, shopping or having a good time in bars and nightclubs, then you will love visiting Manchester in the United Kingdom.
Whether it’s business or leisure that brings you to Manchester, you’ll find plenty of things that will keep you entertained and fascinated. To illustrate this point, the following is a quick tour of the most popular Manchester districts, starting at the city outskirts and moving inward.
Altrincham and Sale lay at Manchester’s south west end. Both are hugely popular and fashionable shopping destinations. Aside from shopping, Sale also gives visitors a taste of Manchester’s highly-touted sporting lifestyle through the hometown Sale Sharks Rugby Union Club. The nearby Sale Water Park is also worth a visit.
Bolton and Bury, two traditional Lancashire towns with distinctly unique personalities, sit at the northern side of the city. Bolton is young and vibrant and its residents have made entertainment and shopping a way of life. The district’s most popular attractions are the Bolton Octagon Theater, the Last Drop Village and the Pennine moors. On the other hand, Bury has an old world feel owing to its many historical attractions such as the East Lancashire Railway. Bury is also popular for its vast open air market, considered to be the best on this side of England.
Castlefield and Deansgate host exceptional shopping, dining and entertainment venues such as Castlefield Basin, King Street and St. Ann’s Square. The Ox is a great choice for lunch or dinner while the Dukes 92 waterfront bar is ideal for drinks.
Manchester’s local Chinatown houses one of the biggest Chinese populations in the country and some of the best Chinese restaurants. Visit during the Chinese New Year and witness one of the city’s most impressive annual celebrations.
When it comes to shopping, the Manchester city centre is in a class of its own. Reputed to be one of the best shopping areas in the United Kingdom, it features such showcase stores as the largest Marks & Spencer outlet in Europe and the hugely popular Exchange Square. You may also want to visit Albert Square for great Victorian gothic architecture and the G-Mex Center and Bridgewater Hall for their rock concerts and classical performances.
There are more fine restaurants in Didsbury, south of the city centre, such as the renowned Lime Tree and the Metropolitan. Didsbury, along with nearby Chorlton and Withington, is one of the city’s most popular and fashionable residential areas, home to an upscale class of professionals and entrepreneurs who have gravitated to the area because of its excellent eating, drinking and shopping options. Chorlton is the more bohemian of the three while Withington hosts the local café society. The latter also features more of a student population and a lively main street lined with popular shops and bars such as Solomon Grundy.
Manchester’s massive student population is situated mostly south of the city centre in Fallowfield, Rusholme and Whalley Range and accounts for the distinct character and cultural diversity of the area. There are many hip bars and pubs in Fallowfield, especially near the numerous University Halls of Residence. Rusholme hosts a large Asian community as well as top flight restaurants like Sangam. Whalley Range is beginning to catch up with the other two with its increasing number of impressive new bars and restaurants.
The gay community will feel right at home in the Gay Village on Canal Street, just west of Piccadilly. The Gay Village has a wide array of bars, restaurants and clubs, including Essential, the city’s first multi-million pound super club.
The fashionable Northern Quarter houses some of the most stylish shops in Manchester as well as trendy music bars like Fat City Records and Dry Bar. The fine old Victorian buildings in the Northern Quarter contain media offices and alternative shopping centres like Affleck’s Palace and the Coliseum, which is famous for its jewellery stores.
The city’s sporting side is best seen at Old Trafford and Salford, home of such famous sports institutions as Manchester United and the Lancashire County Cricket Club. The area’s recent redevelopment is most evident when you look at the resplendent Trafford Centre, the shopping complex that cost £600 million and features the only Selfridges & Co store outside London. The Lowry and Quays in Salford are also worth a visit.
Manchester’s three main universities are on Oxford Road, a major thoroughfare leading into the heart of Manchester. Revolution bar leads the roster of trendy student-directed bars in the area. The Manchester Museum and the Cornerhouse arthouse cinema and gallery are also on Oxford Road.
The Rochdale, Oldham and Ashton area is popular among foreign tourists because of the rolling foothills of the Pennines and the northern Peak District as well as the attraction of the Portland Basin Museum and Rochdale Pioneer Museum.
Article by Susan Ashby of Manchester Singles. To read more articles like this or for dating in Manchester visit http://www.manchester-singles.co.uk
Romantic Destinations in Wyoming
Wyoming is no longer the undiscovered gem it once was. Romantic destinations in Wyoming provide you with the opportunity to add a little fuel to the fire of your relationship and see a beautiful land.
Romantic Destinations in Wyoming
The least populous state in the United States, Wyoming has a lot of land with not many people, making it a perfect place to take a trip and relax. You can be sure you'll have some time alone here, with miles of uninhabited wide open spaces on this plateau between mountain ranges. Home to Yellowstone National Park, there are also many other natural wonders to see in this state, as well as historical treasures such as stops along the Oregon Trail. Romantic destinations in Wyoming can truly feel like you are stepping back in time, because the area here has changed so little since the first days of settlement.
Cheyenne is the most populous city in Wyoming, with most of the state's entire population being centered in or around this city. Located in the southern area of the state, Cheyenne is over ten hours away from Yellowstone National Park (giving some idea of the size of Wyoming), but it is nearby to other cities such as Denver, Colorado. For a true Western feel, a stay in a country inn here is sure to make you feel like a cowboy (or cowgirl). The Adventurers' Country Bed and Breakfast is built on 102 acres of property (comprised of the Raven Cry Ranch) and is home to a true country experience.
Four guest rooms are located at the b and b, including one suite, and all are furnished in a Western country style. Each room has a private bath and is decorated uniquely, with tastefully coordinated furnishings and other decor. The three room suite also houses a fireplace and sitting room, for a special touch. Unique among many bed and breakfast establishments, pets are welcome here, and there are many friendly animals roaming the area. A full delicious breakfast is included with your stay, as well as a nightly dessert.
Also located in Cheyenne is another great spot for romantic destinations in Wyoming. The Nagle Warren Mansion Bed and Breakfast is an elegant building that was recently renovated (1997) and turned into a beautiful inn. Built in 1888, this inn takes advantage of its beginnings and is furnished in period antiques and other art. The Nagle Warren Mansion even serves High Tea (complete with period costumes) each Friday and Saturday afternoon! Enjoy the Amore package with your stay here, which includes champagne, use of the garden hot tub, gourmet breakfasts, a flower bouquet, bubble bath and chocolates – along with two nights' accommodations.
Choosing where to stay for your next romantic vacation can be tough, but if you want a different experience altogether, try a retreat to Wyoming. Here, you can enjoy the western influence as well as the beauty of this state's natural setting.
Richard Rspad is with ResortSpaDestinations.com - reviews, ideas and articles on romantic getaways.
Romantic Destinations in Wisconsin
Carving out a bit of time to focus on you and your loved ones is the key to romance. Romantic destinations in Wisconsin are a good choice and offer memorable trips.
Romantic Destinations in Wisconsin
One of the most beautiful states in the upper Midwest is Wisconsin. Known for its miles of farmland, there are many other attractions that make this state a good place to visit. Nestled in between Great Lakes and home to many other small glacial lakes and streams, Wisconsin is frequently visited by travelers wanting to experience the natural formations found here. The state is also heavily forested, with some areas being thickly covered with trees, and Door Peninsula, located off of the eastern part of the state, also draws travelers with quaint villages and places to see. Romantic destinations in Wisconsin can take full advantage of this area's hospitality and many natural attractions.
Baraboo, Wisconsin, is home to the Inn at Wawanissee Point, a bed and breakfast establishment that takes full advantage of the beauty of this state. Situated near Devil’s Falls and Wisconsin Dells (a popular family spot), this Inn was built on 42 acres in the middle of the Baraboo Range. You can definitely find the seclusion and romance that you are looking for on this heavily forested and scenery rich land, with a 36 mile long vista! Newly built, the Inn at Wananissee Point offers four tastefully appointed guest rooms (each with private bath) as well as modern conveniences such as high speed wireless Internet and HDTV.
The Bordeaux Room includes a massage therapy tub for two, while all other rooms are equipped with other amenities such as large shower rooms. A full gourmet breakfast is included with your stay, as is complimentary wine and cheese served in the evenings. For a romantic treat, you can book one of the specialty packages available to enhance your stay. These include two nights of accommodations, as well as breakfasts, relaxing massage chairs, flowers, and even such touches as a picnic lunch (in season) and a unique infrared sauna experience.
Another spot perfect for romantic destinations in Wisconsin is the Mansion Hill Inn, located in the city of Madison. Housed in a Romanesque Revival style home built in 1857, this Inn promises a stay that you will definitely remember. There are 11 guest rooms located here, most of which have marble fireplaces or balconies. Beautifully appointed rooms are complimented with luxury linens and whirlpool tubs (in some rooms) as well as access to all that the Inn has to offer. Concierge services, a spa/fitness center and complimentary breakfast served to your room are all included. Also take a look at the special Passion on the Hill package, which includes a bottle of champagne, chocolates, flowers and poetry book in your room, as well as a $75 gift certificate for dinner at a fine local restaurant.
Choose Wisconsin for your next romantic destination, and you will have the trip of a lifetime. Perfect in any season, this Midwestern gem is a great place to spend some time together as a couple and get away from it all.
Richard Rspad is with ResortSpaDestinations.com - reviews, ideas and articles on romantic weekend getaways.
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